10/29/1974 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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, Councilman Hershner expressed concern about opening discussion of long-range overall use of Laurelwood to public hearing when it had been publicized as a public hearing on letting bids for fence construction. He wondered if a fair cross section of opinions would be represented. Councilman Williams wasn't sure a cross section would be represented but he thought some feel - would be gained for neighborhood concern. He liked the suggestion for a neighborhood meeting where golfers'from other areas of the city might express their sentiments. Councilman.McDonald expressed surprise that there was no mention at the time the bond issue (0833) for purchase of the property was put forth about the possibility of $160,000 annual maintenance expense. He thought it was intended for use as a multipurpose park area. Manager answered that the maintenance question was not raised at the time of the bond issue, rather it was hoped that with the installation of an irrigation system the golf course would be more nearly self- supporting. He said the estimated maintenance figure was based on the assumption the entire acreage would be completed as a developed park. The irrigation system had been installed so that it could be expanded for use in a regional park in the future. Maintenance of the area used for golfing at the present time does not amount to nearly that much, he said. Council President Williams opened the discussion to members of the audience, asking them to (0877) recognize that the staff would hold meetings in the neighborhood to discuss the future of the golf course and/or park, and thatprobably there would be no fence erected as the result of action taken at this meeting, but at some future time a fence might be:considered after the neighborhood meetings had been held. Joyce Owen, 2830 Emerald Street, wondered if the fence would have-been erected without any (0889) notice to the neighborhood had the low bid been within the budgeted amount. Manager answered e that if the bidding had fallen within the city's financial ability and if there had been no neighborhood concern expressed the contract. probably would have been awarded. He said staff still feels the fence as designed seemed a reasonable solution and would not create the kinds of problems anticipated in the neighborhood, that is, it would not prohibit use of the golf course or interfere with other uses compatible with the golf use. Unconfirmed report was received that Mahammed Ali kayoed George Foreman in the 8th round to regain the heavyweight title. Karen Cassare, 2770 Emerald Street, asked when the proposed neighborhood meetings would be held. She said she was totally opposed to a chain link fence with barbed wire. She felt there would be more vandalism than ever after installation of such a fence. Meetings had not been scheduled yet, Manager replied, but they could be held wi thin a couple of weeks.; A resident of 2620 Cresta de Ruta was concerned about having a "developed" park in that area. She said she would like to see some citizen input before anything was done to change the character of the Laurelwood property. Council President Williams reminded that a fence would not be installed as the result of action at this meeting and that meetings in the neighborhood would be held to give the opportunity for citizens!.,. opinions. Norman Pott, 2805 Chula Vista Boulevard, recognized that vandalism was occurring at Laurelwood (0.) but he felt the proposed fence would not effectively eliminate it. He thought multiple-use quality was the primary value, well worth preserving, and that it would be lost if a fence was installed. He tho~ght too that visual pollution of a fence as proposed should not be under- estimated. Ms. Kidder, 2745 Emerald Street, asked consideration of raising the height of a portion of the (0983) existing fence using a fine hardware cloth rather than chain link so that adjacent properties would not have the continual "golf ball hazard." Mr. Williams suggested that problem be brought out at the neighborhood meetings. / Councilman McDonald wondered if the questions raised could be discussed at the Amazon Park neighborhood meeting scheduled for November 7. Manager replied that staff would be present at that meeting if asked to discuss these problems at that time, but his idea was to have a meet- ing at the Laurelwood Club House where people from other areas of the city and not belonging to a specific organization would be welcome. Councilman Murray thought the temporary resolution.,~p.ggested.was::proper. He wanted people of the Laurelwood neighborhood to know that one provision of the neighborhood association policy was that any group recognized by the city as representing a certain area would have advance notice of any proposed major changes in park facilities. .j Mr. Hershner moved seconded by Mrs. Campbell to reject all bids on the Laurel- wood property fence and to hold meetings in the neighborhood as suggested for public input with regard to solution of the vandalism and maintenance problems. Motion carried unanimously. D. Vacations 1. Easement .west oLDanebo' from Barger . to . Candlelight (Gilbert) Recommended by Planning Commission July 22, 1974, retaining underground facilities easement. '3b4- 10/29/74 - 6